Asian Development Bank
ADB-Japan Scholarship Program at AIM
Edit ScholarshipThe ADB-Japan Scholarship Program at AIM, financed by Japan's government and administered by the Asian Development Bank, funds master's students from ADB developing member countries at the Asian Institute of Management, Philippines. It covers the full program fee, housing, airfare and a stipend.
Overview
The ADB-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) is funded by the Government of Japan and administered by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). It supports qualified nationals from ADB borrowing member countries to pursue postgraduate study at designated partner institutions across the Asia-Pacific region. The Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in Manila, Philippines, is one of those partner institutions, and students who gain admission to an AIM master's program may apply for the scholarship through AIM.
The scholarship provides one of the most comprehensive financial packages available to graduate students from developing countries in Asia and the Pacific. It covers 100% of program fees, campus dormitory accommodation, a monthly living stipend, and one round-trip economy class airfare between your home country and Manila. In exchange, you commit to returning to your home country for a minimum of two years after graduation to apply the knowledge and skills you developed during the program.
Applications are submitted to and processed by AIM, not directly to ADB. AIM screens all eligible candidates and forwards finalists to the relevant ADB Executive Director for final scholarship approval. Your AIM registration fee must be paid before any scholarship materials are reviewed, so completing that payment promptly is important to keeping your application on track.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Funding Body | Government of Japan, administered by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) |
| Host Country | Philippines (Asian Institute of Management, Manila) |
| Degree Levels | Master's programs at AIM |
| Value | 100% of program fees, campus dormitory accommodation, one round-trip economy airfare, monthly stipend |
| Deadline | Reviewed as part of the AIM admissions cycle; check AIM for current intake dates |
| Eligible Nationalities | Nationals of ADB borrowing member countries (dual citizenship of a developed nation disqualifies) |
| Official Website | adb.org/work-with-us/careers/japan-scholarship-program |
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
You must be a citizen of an ADB borrowing member country. If you hold dual citizenship, you must not be a citizen of any developed nation. A complete list of ADB borrowing member countries is available on the ADB website at adb.org.
Age
You must be under 35 years old at the time of application. This is a firm cutoff, and no exceptions are made regardless of other qualifications.
Work Experience
You must have completed a minimum of two years of full-time professional work after finishing your bachelor's degree. Part-time work, internships, and volunteer experience do not satisfy this requirement. Official employment documentation is required to confirm this record.
Academic Background
You must hold a bachelor's degree and have demonstrated a superior academic record. Your undergraduate transcript and CGPA are assessed as part of the scholarship review.
Return Commitment
You must commit, as a binding condition of the scholarship, to returning to your home country for at least two years immediately following graduation. This commitment is integral to the ADB-JSP's development mandate.
What the Scholarship Covers
- 100% of AIM program fees for the duration of the master's program
- Campus dormitory accommodation throughout the program
- One round-trip economy class airfare between your home country and Manila
- Monthly living stipend for the duration of the program
How to Apply
- Apply to AIM: Submit your application for an AIM master's program and pay the AIM registration fee. Scholarship documents cannot be processed until the fee is paid.
- Indicate ADB-JSP interest: Notify AIM during the admissions process that you wish to be considered for the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program.
- Complete the ADB-JSP Information Sheet: Obtain this form from AIM or the ADB website and fill it out fully and accurately.
- Gather all required documents: Assemble every item listed in the Required Documents section. Missing documents will delay or disqualify your application.
- Submit all materials to AIM: You do not apply directly to ADB. Submit everything to AIM, which will review your file and select finalists.
- AIM screening and ADB approval: AIM forwards finalists to the ADB Executive Director for final approval. You will be notified through AIM of the outcome.
Required Documents
- ADB-JSP Information Sheet (ADB's official form)
- Valid passport copy
- Undergraduate diploma and official transcript with CGPA
- Company Certificate of Employment showing your compensation
- Company Certificate of Family Income
- Income conversion form (required if income documents are in a non-standard currency)
- Three months' pay slips
Key Dates & Deadlines
The ADB-Japan Scholarship Program at AIM is assessed alongside the AIM admissions cycle. There is no separate scholarship deadline independent of the AIM admissions process. Visit aim.edu/imba-fees-and-financing for current intake dates. Plan to pay your AIM registration fee and submit your complete file well before the intake closing date, since both the AIM screening and subsequent ADB review take time after submission.
Tips for a Strong Application
What helps
- Document your two years of post-degree full-time work experience clearly and completely using official employer certificates. Ambiguity in your employment record will be flagged during screening.
- A strong undergraduate transcript improves your position among finalists. If your CGPA is not at the top of the pool, make sure other parts of your application compensate.
- Show explicitly in your application materials how the skills and knowledge you will gain at AIM connect to the work you plan to do when you return to your home country. The ADB-JSP is a development-focused program, and this alignment matters.
- Include an income conversion form if any of your financial documents are denominated in a currency that is not the one requested. This is a common reason for document rejections.
- Submit your AIM registration fee and all required materials as early as possible within the intake window.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying if you are 35 years old or older at the time of application. The age cutoff is firm and cannot be waived.
- Counting part-time work, internships, or volunteer activities toward the two-year professional experience requirement. Only full-time post-degree employment qualifies.
- Contacting ADB directly to apply. All applications must go through AIM; ADB does not accept individual applications.
- Omitting the income conversion form when your financial documents are in a non-standard currency. This is a required document when applicable and its absence will stall your file.
- Forgetting to indicate ADB-JSP interest when completing your AIM admissions application.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program at AIM cover?
The ADB-Japan Scholarship Program at AIM covers 100% of program fees, campus dormitory accommodation for the full program duration, one round-trip economy class airfare between your home country and Manila, and a monthly living stipend.
Who can apply for the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program at AIM?
Nationals of ADB borrowing member countries who are under 35 at the time of application, hold a bachelor's degree with a strong academic record, and have at least two years of full-time post-degree professional work experience are eligible. Dual citizens of developed nations are not eligible.
How do I apply for the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program at AIM?
You apply through AIM, not directly to ADB. Submit your admissions application to AIM, pay the registration fee, indicate your interest in the ADB-JSP, and provide all required documents. AIM screens candidates and forwards finalists to ADB for final approval.
Is there a strict age limit for the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program at AIM?
Yes. You must be under 35 years old at the time of application. This limit is enforced without exceptions.
What professional experience qualifies for the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program at AIM?
You need at least two years of full-time paid professional work completed after earning your bachelor's degree. Part-time employment, internships, and volunteer work do not count toward this requirement.
Am I required to return to my home country after the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program at AIM?
Yes. As a binding scholarship condition, you must return to your home country and remain there for at least two years after completing your program.
Can dual citizens apply for the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program at AIM?
Not if one of your citizenships is from a developed country. You must hold citizenship only of an ADB borrowing member country to be eligible.
What is the ADB-JSP Information Sheet required for the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program at AIM?
The ADB-JSP Information Sheet is ADB's own official form, which must be completed and submitted as part of your scholarship application. AIM will direct you to where you can access this form during the application process.
Does the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program at AIM consider financial need?
Financial documentation including Company Certificate of Family Income and pay slips are required as part of the application, so financial circumstances are part of the review. Consult AIM and ADB documentation for how financial need factors into the final decision alongside academic and professional criteria.
How does AIM decide which candidates are forwarded to ADB for the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program at AIM?
AIM screens all eligible applicants and selects finalists based on academic record, professional experience, and the overall strength of the application file. Only finalists are submitted to the ADB Executive Director for the final scholarship decision.